BMW M3 DTM makes successful first outing at Lausitzring

It was all-go at the Frankfurt motor show yesterday as Mercedes-Benz launched their new Mercedes C-Coupé DTM and Audi their A5 DTM. Meanwhile new-entrants BMW were on track at the Lausitzring putting their own 2012 DTM challenger to the test.

The team completed two productive days of testing with three newly developed BMW M3 DTM cars. BMW works drivers Andy Priaulx (GB), Augusto Farfus (BR), Jörg Müller (DE) and Dirk Müller (DE) were all in action on Monday and Tuesday at the first joint test for all manufacturers represented in the 2012 DTM season, gaining more valuable experience with the car and making another step towards the DTM comeback of BMW next year.

“We can look back positively on the test at the Lausitzring,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. ”Our four drivers got a lot of kilometres under their belts at the Lausitzring and collected a lot of data. It was interesting to test together with our rivals for the first time, although it is still too early to make any real comparisons between the manufacturers.

Congratulations to Audi and Mercedes-Benz. They will also be lining up with really beautiful and impressive cars. I think the fans can look forward to a great season with the BMW M3 DTM, the Audi A5 DTM and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé.”

BMW Motorsport headed to the Lausitzring with its three teams – BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG – to continue the development work with the BMW M3 DTM. The drivers assessed different set-up variations and completed extensive tyre tests. In addition, the Lausitzring provided a perfect opportunity to test the efficiency of many new components out on the track.

Dirk Müller and Jörg Müller, who both took to the track in the BMW M3 DTM for the first time, were impressed by the new car. “Monday’s test was great fun,” said Dirk Müller. “It reminded me of my time in single-seater racing. The BMW M3 DTM also generates a lot of downforce. I felt comfortable with the car from the word go.”

Jörg Müller added: “As a driver, you obviously have to get used to a car like this. The BMW M3 DTM is very responsive and is unbelievably good turning into corners. You can feel the immense downforce in the fast corners. We spent a lot of time on the track on Tuesday and learned a lot.”

The next test with the BMW M3 DTM is scheduled for 21st/22nd September 2011 at the Hungaroring near Budapest (HU). Dirk Müller and Dirk Werner (DE) will continue the BMW Motorsport testing programme alongside Priaulx and Farfus.